Image reading device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

Abstract

An image reading device includes a sensor and circuitry. The sensor reads an image on a recording medium. The circuitry inspects the image and outputs an inspection result. The circuitry excludes an area of the recording medium as a first area from an area to be inspected, based on a type of the recording medium or a position of the recording medium with respect to a reading position at which the sensor reads the image, to determine a second area to be inspected. The circuitry outputs the inspection result based on the second area.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An image reading device comprising:
 a sensor configured to read an image on a recording medium; and 
 circuitry configured to:
 inspect the image and output an inspection result; and 
 exclude an area of the recording medium as a first area from an area to be inspected, based on a type of the recording medium or a position of the recording medium with respect to a reading position at which the sensor reads the image, to determine a second area to be inspected, 
 
 the circuitry being configured to output the inspection result based on the second area. 
 
     
     
       2. The image reading device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first sandwiching conveyor configured to sandwich and convey the recording medium at a position upstream from the sensor in a recording medium conveyance direction; and 
 a second sandwiching conveyor configured to sandwich and convey the recording medium at a position downstream from the sensor in the recording medium conveyance direction, 
 wherein the circuitry is configured to output the inspection result based on the second area in response to one of the first sandwiching conveyor and the second sandwiching conveyor sandwiching the recording medium. 
 
     
     
       3. The image reading device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the recording medium is conveyed to the first sandwiching conveyor in a direction and the recording medium is conveyed from the first sandwiching conveyor in another direction. 
 
     
     
       4. The image reading device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the recording medium is conveyed to the second sandwiching conveyor in a direction and the recording medium is conveyed from the second sandwiching conveyor in another direction. 
 
     
     
       5. The image reading device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a third sandwiching conveyor configured to sandwich and convey the recording medium at a position downstream from the second sandwiching conveyor in the recording medium conveyance direction,
 wherein the circuitry is configured to invalidate an inspection when the third sandwiching conveyor receives the recording medium. 
 
     
     
       6. The image reading device according to  claim 2 , further comprising another sandwiching conveyor configured to sandwich and convey the recording medium at a position upstream from the first sandwiching conveyor in the recording medium conveyance direction,
 wherein the circuitry is configured to invalidate an inspection when said another sandwiching conveyor outputs the recording medium. 
 
     
     
       7. The image reading device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 learn a reading result provided by the sensor; and 
 set a criterion to determine whether the inspection result is normal or abnormal, based on a learning result. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The image reading device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the sensor is configured to read images on a plurality of recording media including the recording medium, and 
 wherein the circuitry is configured to learn for each of the plurality of recording media and change the criterion for each of the plurality of recording media. 
 
     
     
       9. The image reading device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory that stores a specific area of which the inspection result is poor compared with an inspection result of an area other than the specific area,
 wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 set a criterion to determine whether the inspection result is normal or abnormal; and
 set the criterion for the specific area to be different from the criterion for the area other than the specific area. 
 
 
 
     
     
       10. An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       11. The image reading device according to  claim 1 , wherein the position of the recording medium with respect to the reading position is based on a portion of the recording medium being unsupported by a sandwiching conveyor.